Tie-up aims to enhance mortgage education and certification
The National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA) has teamed up with analytics software company FICO to educate and train mortgage professionals on financial wellness and social impact lending.
The tie-up also aims to encourage more lenders to obtain NAMMBA’s Certified Community Lender (CCL) certification. The CCL certification, awarded to less than 5% of mortgage professionals, is a rigorous program that establishes standards for excellence in social impact lending.
FICO will contribute its Score A Better Future credit education curriculum to the CCL certification process, along with resources to help mortgage professionals better understand credit and prepare clients for home purchases.
“We are ecstatic to welcome FICO as an ELITE Partner in our mission to positively impact the mortgage industry,” NAMMBA chief Tony Thompson said in a release. “This collaboration will help us expand the reach of our Certified Community Lender program, ensuring that more loan originators are equipped with the knowledge and skills to serve underrepresented communities effectively. Together, we can drive significant progress towards increasing homeownership and building generational wealth among minorities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.”
The CCL designation is earned through an eight-session online course, offering benefits such as access to business development strategy calls, a course completion certificate, annual NAMMBA membership, and marketing materials.
FICO has also committed to being a title sponsor for NAMMBA CONNECT 2024 in Orlando, Fla., from August 21-23. Mortgage professionals who complete the CCL training will have the opportunity to receive their certification at the conference and attend a Score A Better Future breakout session on credit education.
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“FICO is delighted to support NAMMBA in its endeavor to elevate the standards of mortgage professionals,” said Julie May, vice president and general manager of scores at FICO. “By fostering a culture of continuous education and ethical practices, we believe that this partnership will not only enhance the capabilities of loan originators but also create lasting positive impacts within the communities they serve.”
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